Fact Sheets

About Coal: coal is an unsustainable fossil fuel, and Australia is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of coal.

About Coal Seam Gas: here you'll find everything you need to know about the basics of coal seam gas in Australia.

About shale and tight gas: Shale and tight gas are two types of unconventional gas now being targeted in Australia. Whilst the gas industry maintains that unconventional gas extraction is safe and ‘clean’, there is a growing body of research from overseas that highlights the impacts of shale and tight gas operations on land, water and human health.

CSG Myth Busting: this page sorts the fact from the fiction and gives you the answers you need on the common questions asked about coal seam gas.

Water and Salt: Coal seams contain both water and gas. During coal seam gas operations a large amount of water must be pumped out of the coal seam. This water is generally salty and can contain toxic and radioactive compounds and heavy metals. Salt is another by-product of coal seam gas operations and can have a number of adverse impacts if it enters the surrounding environment. Read more here.

Landholder Rights: Lock the Gate encourages landholders to ‘lock the gate’ to coal seam gas and mining companies as a form of non-cooperation. The law is strongly in favour of coal seam gas and mining companies but locking the gate to them is an effective means of preventing access. Read more here.

Health: There are a number of serious risks to public health associated with coal seam gas development. Research by Doctors for the Environment found that the current level of assessment, monitoring and regulation of CSG exploration and mining activities in Australia is inadequate to protect the health of current and future generations of Australians. Read more here.

Fracking: Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly known as fracking or fraccing, is a drilling technique used to stimulate and accelerate the flow of gas to a well or bore. Fracking has been used during coal seam gas operations in both Queensland and NSW and there remain widespread calls for a moratorium or ban on its use. Read more here.

Emissions: Coal and coal seam gas are dirty and unsustainable fossil fuels that contribute to climate change. Clean, renewable alternatives to coal and coal seam gas already exist. These renewable energy alternatives will not threaten our climate and will create more sustainable jobs than continued use of dirty fossil fuels. Read more here.

Clean Energy at Home: Some tips on how to move away from relying on coal and gas for your home energy supply.